Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29 completed the restoration of a UH-34 Seahorse from the aviation memorial by the front gate aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, Tuesday.

According to a press release by 1st Lt. Sarah Burns of MCAS New River, the squadron displayed pride, " to have the opportunity to honor their predecessors who maintained and operated UH-34's."

During the refit, veterans stopped by to share stories of the aircraft as the displayed UH-34 was painted to replicate its appearance in the pre-Vietnam era of the 1960s.

In 1955, the Marine Corps received its first UH-34.

It was the workhorse for Marine Corps helicopter units from the late 1950s to 1965.

On April 15, 1962, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 362 deployed to Soc Trang, South Vietnam to support the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.

The last UH-34D that served in Vietnam retired August 1969 at Hue Phu Bai, when the CH-46 Sea Knight was introduced into the service.

"One of the veterans that came down to visit while we were painting had to excuse himself because he was overcome with emotion that we were taking the time to bring this aircraft back to life," said Gunnery Sgt. James Hutchinson, MALS-29 airframe mechanic and project lead in the press release. "That's what this project is all about. There is no ribbon, award or letter of appreciation that could capture what we are doing here; it's those veterans who make this worth it."